April 9, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Carrie Gilliam, communications coordinator, at 816-383-5100, or cgilliam@angus.org.

LEAD Conference to Take Place in Fort Collins

Early registration for the annual youth leadership conference ends June 15.

Youth from across the country will travel to Fort Collins, Colo., for the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA’s) annual Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference, Aug. 2-5. Themed “Peak Performance,” the leadership event, sponsored by the Angus Foundation, is designed for members 14-21 years of age.

 “If junior Angus members are planning on attending the LEAD conference at least once, this is the one they don’t want to miss,” says Robin Ruff, American Angus Association^® director of junior activities. “The NJAA Board is working to coordinate an exciting, fun-filled and educational program that provides a great setting for the future of the Angus breed to develop leadership skills and lifelong friendships.”

Angus juniors will attend leadership workshops presented by the NJAA Board, as well as listen to a keynote address from professional speaker Andrew McCrea.

Tours during this year’s LEAD event will include area Angus operations – Aristocrat Angus, Rocky Mountain Sire Services and Spruce Mountain Ranch. Participants will also take part in the Colorado State University Ropes Challenge Course and tour the university’s Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center.

In addition to workshops and tours, a white water rafting trip is planned, for those seeking some adventure. And for those seeking some bargains, even some shopping time is in the schedule.

Conference space is limited, and early registration is encouraged by the June 15 deadline. The early registration fee for NJAA members is $200.

After June 15, registration will be $225 and accepted based on space availability. Registration for adults, state advisors and chaperones is $250; no early registration deadline applies. 

Registration is available online at http://www.angus.org/njaa. For more information, contact the junior activities department at 816-383-5100. 

LEAD is funded in part by the Angus Foundation and is a program of the NJAA, which provides programs for nearly 7,000 members across the nation. A tentative schedule follows.

2012 Leaders Engaged in Angus Development Conference

Fort Collins, Colo. | “Peak Performance”

Thursday, August 2

  2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.            Registration

  3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.            Ice Breakers

  5:00 p.m.                               Welcome & Introductions – Garrett Knebel 

  5:15 p.m.                               Dinner

  6:00 p.m.                               Speaker - TBD

  6:45 p.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Shane Clary

  7:00 p.m.                               Hypnotist – Dr. Al Snyder

  8:00 p.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Garrett Knebel

  8:15 p.m.                               Team Building Activity

  8:45 p.m.                               NJAA Board Skit

11:00 p.m.                               In Room Curfew

  6:45 a.m. – 7:15 a.m.             Breakfast – Marriott

  8:00 – 5:30 p.m.                    Ropes Challenge Course – Colorado State University

  (4 rotations)                           Shopping – Downtown Fort Collins

White Water Rafting – Wanderlust Adventures and Rocky Mountain Adventures

 7:00 p.m.                               Dinner

 7:45 p.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Lindsey Grimes 

 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.                  Dance – Marriott

 11:30 p.m.                             In Room Curfew

7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.            Breakfast - Marriott

8:00 a.m. (15 minutes)         Depart for CSU ARDEC

8:30 a.m.                              CSU ARDEC

11:00 a.m.                            Retiring Thoughts – Alisha Nord

11:15 a.m.                            Lunch – CSU ARDEC Facility

12:15 p.m.                            Depart for Aristocrat Angus

1:00 p.m.                              Aristocrat Angus – Tour

2:30 p.m.                              Depart for Rocky Mountain Sire Services

3:30 p.m.                              Rocky Mountain Sire Services - Tour

4:30 p.m.                              Depart for Spruce Mountain Ranch

5:30 p.m.                              Spruce Mountain Ranch – Tour, Dinner and Entertainment

                                             Retiring Thoughts - Austin Brandt

8:30 p.m.                              Depart for Fort Collins

11:00 p.m.                            In Room Curfew

7:00 a.m.                              Breakfast – Marriott

7:45 a.m.                              Rachel’s Challenge

8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.          Workshops (2 per group, one hour each)

10:15 a.m.                            “Making Molehills out of Mountains” – Andrew McCrea

11:15 a.m.                            Retiring Thoughts – Clay Williams

11:30 a.m.                            Wrap Up and Depart 

Ashley and Katlynn Larrimore, Rising Sun, Md., visit the Saint Louis, Mo., Gateway Arch during the 2011 LEAD Conference. Participants at the 2012 Conference will be able to visit sites in the Fort Collins, Colo., region. (Photo courtesy of the American Angus Association^®.)

High-resolution photo available upon request.

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